1. Close Unused Programs: One of the most basic and effective ways to optimize memory usage is to close any programs you aren’t actively using. Whenever you open a program, it claims a certain amount of RAM memory for itself. If you don’t need a program running in the background, you should close it as it will free up RAM. You can do this from the Task Manager which shows all the programs and processes running in the system.
2. Disable Startup Programs: Many Windows programs often run in the background when the computer starts. This can cause your computer to slow down due to the limited amount of RAM available to it. To prevent this, you can disable startup programs in the Task Manager. Right-click the taskbar and select Task Manager. From there, click the Startup tab and then select the programs you want to disable.
3. Reduce Visual Effects: Visual effects can also use up some of your system’s memory. To reduce the amount of RAM being used, go to Control Panel and select System. Then, click Advanced System Settings and select the Performance tab. From there, you can select the “Adjust for best performance” option or customize the visuals you want to keep or turn off.
4. Optimize Your Storage: You can also optimize your system memory usage by optimizing your storage. This means removing unnecessary files, compressing large files and clearing old files from your hard drive, USB drives and other external storage devices. You can use built-in utilities such as Disk Cleanup and Disk Defragmenter to do this.
5. Change Your Virtual Memory Settings: Virtual memory is the portion of your hard drive that the system uses as an extension of the physical RAM. It is recommended that your virtual memory be set to no less than 1.5 to 2 times the physical RAM. To change the virtual memory settings, go to Control Panel and select System. Then, click Advanced System Settings, then select the Advanced tab. From there, select the Virtual Memory button.
6. Upgrade Your RAM: If you find that you are constantly running low on memory and have tried all the above tips without success, then you may need to upgrade your RAM to a higher capacity. RAM comes in various sizes and types, so consult your manual to see what your system supports before purchasing any additional RAM.
7. Declutter Your Desktop: Your desktop can also be a source of memory usage. The more items you have stored on your desktop, the more RAM will be used. To reduce the RAM usage, clean up your desktop by deleting any unused icons and moving any documents, photos and files to an appropriate folder.
Following these seven steps should help you optimize your system’s memory usage. At the very least, they should point you in the right direction to finding the source of the RAM bottleneck and give you ideas on how to fix it. Remember that every computer is different and what works for one system may not work for yours but with a little bit of experimentation, you should be able to get the most out of your system.